Chia Recall Expands

Washington, D.C.—Salmonella contamination is to blame for an increasingly widespread recall of organic sprouted chia powder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 21 people across 12 states have been infected by the outbreak, which included two people ill enough to be hospitalized. The first voluntary recall came from Navitas Naturals of Novato, CA, on May 28, which recalled its Navitas Naturals Organic Sprouted Chia Powder, Navitas Naturals Omega Blend Sprouted Smoothie Mix, and Williams-Sonoma Omega 3 Smoothie Mixer products.

On June 4, Health Matters America of Cheektowaga, NY, recalled potentially contaminated items (Organic Traditions Sprouted Chia Seed Powder and Sprouted Chia/Flax Seed Powder); the following day, Green Smoothie Girl voluntarily recalled Green Smoothie Girl Sprouted Ground TriOmega Superfood (silver and gold pouches); and then Navitas Naturals added additional expiration dates to its recall list on June 6. Health Matters added additional lot numbers and products to the recall on June 26, and on July 1, Oriya Organics recalled its Oriya Organics Superfood Protein Medley. Various Canadian companies have also recalled affected chia products, where 59 separate cases of the outbreak had been found as of press time.

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the CDC are partnering to investigate the situation, and updates are being posted here: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/newport-05-14/index.html.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, August 2014, Posted June 20, 2014, updated July 10, 2014